A Lesson in Chemistry With Inspector Bruce by Jillian Stone

Author:Jillian Stone
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Pocket Star
Published: 2012-11-05T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Archie vaulted over a luggage cart and ran through the train station to catch the seven thirty-five train to Bush Hill Park. At the end of the platform, Agent Gunn opened a compartment door and waved. Archie jumped aboard, stepping around two rifle cases on the floor. Stashing his attaché case under the seat, he spied the companion gunpowder canister poking out of a satchel.

“I heard you had a bit of excitement at Whitehall yesterday.” Finn stretched out crossing booted legs at the ankle. There really was something genuinely imposing about the man.

Archie settled in opposite Finn. “Shrapnel shell. Just like the one in your satchel, there.”

Finn stared. “Are you telling me this is a live shell?”

Archie nodded. “And volatile—do handle with care. The one in my lab quite literally flew past Alfred’s nose. The concussion sent us both flying.”

The agent tilted his head. “Quite a nasty scratch there along your chin. Tell me everything—from the time Alfred takes his morning relief at the lamppost, until you pick yourself up off the pavers.”

Archie stared wide-eyed. “How do you know—?”

“The hound’s pissing habits? Whether you know it or not, we all keep an eye on you and Alfred. You’re both very important to Special Branch.”

“You could very likely do without me. Not sure if you could get along without Alfred.” Archie grinned. “I hadn’t thought we’d made much of an impression with the undercover men.”

Finn’s gaze was deadly serious. “Trust me. We can’t afford to lose either of you.”

Archie outlined the events of yesterday morning and filled in details as Finn asked questions. “What kinds of profiles, scenarios are you looking at—inside or out?” the agent queried.

Archie exhaled a breath. “Both, at the moment.”

Finn resettled himself into a corner of the compartment. “Inside first. Any suspicions? Anyone acting a bit off their regular game—something you’ve noticed, but never acted on?”

Archie stared at the satchel with the shell in it. “There may be a couple of suspects. No one I wish to name right now.”

“Names are safe with me, and you need to tell someone, Archie, in case one of them gets to you or the hound.” The slightly amused operative scratched his chin. “It will help us in your homicide investigation.”

Archie nodded, even grinned. “You make your point, Finn.”

The agent shifted uncomfortably. “All right, since you refuse to cooperate, shall we discuss the possibility of an outside perpetrator? You have to be looking at Grey de Ruthyn.”

“At the top of the list.” Archie mentioned other suspects, but they both kept coming back to the sly arms trafficker. “You almost captured him at the opium den, Finn.”

“Almost is not going to get him arrested. The man’s a peer, Simon Grey, Baron Grey de Ruthyn. We’ve got to catch him in a flagrans delictum—red-handed—to bring up charges.”

Archie raised a brow. “And how goes the case?”

“You’ve seen the man in action—a sly fox that one. He lives quietly, travels incognito, even his women are carefully selected. And he has never allowed his picture to be taken—that we know of.

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